Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences
On 5–7 June 2025, the Science Fair – the largest popular science event in the Czech Republic, organized annually by the Czech Academy of Sciences – took place at the PVA EXPO PRAHA in Letňany. The aim of the fair is to popularize science, support the recruitment of new students, employ graduates and develop teachers. More than 100 exhibitions from institutes of the Academy of Sciences, universities, innovative companies and other educational institutions were presented on an area of approximately 8,200 m².
The Institute of Molecular Genetics participated in the Science Fair this year again, with two booths. Interactive activities took place there for three days – visitors could try out pipetting, look into the life of parasites, learn about the structure of DNA and the principles of the genetic code. The greatest interest was traditionally aroused by observing objects under a microscope, which also helps to introduce the public to the state-of-the-art equipment of our institute.
The booth of the Czech Center for Phenogenomics presented phenogenomics as a field combining genomic analyses with the observation of the phenotype – i.e. how a change in gene function affects the physical and biochemical properties of an organism. Visitors could build cell models themselves, combine DNA with the CRISPR-Cas9 system and learn how this technology can help in the treatment of rare genetic diseases.
Interested parties could also try a simplified version of phenotyping pipeline – learn something about themselves and compare the results with other participants. For the more daring, a simulation of work in a BSL3 laboratory was prepared, which brought the demands of work in conditions of high biological safety closer to the public.
The fair is intended for the general public – from families with children, to students, seniors and experts from various scientific fields. The aim of the event is to show that science is not only a serious discipline, but can also be fun and understandable. The Science Fair helps to raise awareness of Czech research and at the same time motivates scientific institutions to actively communicate their results to the public. The constantly growing interest of visitors is proof that this effort is worthwhile.
“The Science Fair is a showcase of the most interesting and useful things that science has brought and is bringing to our lives. And most importantly, it is science that you can touch,” summed up the event, Petr Borovský from the External Relations Division of the Joint Activities Center of the Czech Academy of Sciences, which is responsible for the entire organization of the fair.
